Homeless camp dispersed and council building blocked off

Reporter: Charlotte Hall, Local Democracy Reporter
Date published: 25 July 2025


A homeless camp on the doorstep of Oldham’s town hall has been moved on and the area blocked off by council staff. 

The entrance to part of the council’s Civic Centre offices, which has stood empty for several months, has been used as a shelter by people with no fixed abode since February.

But within the last week, the town hall has quietly shut down the camp. 

The council’s housing boss said ‘no one was living there permanently’ and people were offered support before the tents were removed. 

Coun Elaine Taylor, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “While residents were sleeping in tents at the old Access Oldham office our teams engaged to see how we could help and support them, and as Cabinet Member I went and spoke to them myself to encourage them to accept the support being offered.

“We offered them accommodation, guidance and help to make sure they were safe and looked after.

"The same support we offer anyone who needs it.

The homeless camp pictured recently

“By the time we moved the tents, there was nobody staying there on a permanent basis, as our team had carried out checks throughout the days and nights leading up to this to make sure everyone had been provided appropriate alternative accommodation.

“The space they were staying in was not a suitable location for anyone to sleep, so this has now been secured to protect everyone, and the reality is we’ll soon be moving out of the civic centre and it will become a building site.”

The town hall was previously criticised by councillors from the Liberal Democrat group for the ‘bad optics’ of those facing destitution camping outside an unused council building.

The offices have stood empty since council staff were moved to the brand new offices at The Spindles shopping centre in June 2024. 

And the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously spoke to one man who was sleeping rough at the former Civic entrance.

Josef, a 28-year-old Eritrean who fled his home country after the government killed most of his family due to their religion, shared how he’d struggled to access help through the council services in June after he was granted refugee status. 
“I go to the council every day,” Josef said.

“They tell me they can only help when I have found a place to rent.

"But nowhere will accept me because I have no money, no job, no education.

"And nowhere will take me for work because I have no address.” 

The council states it has supported all who were at the homeless camp with finding alternative accommodation and advice.


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